Funatic of the Week: Bryan Sato!
Bryan Sato
Los Angeles, CA
What Funko lines do you collect? How many pieces are in your collection?
Collecting wise, I would say Pop!s! That's where it all started. But I am also starting to get more into Dorbz. My Funko collection is over 300 pieces and I am continuing to add on more.
How long have you been a collector?
Since 2014, so about 2.5 years.
What are your favorite fandoms?
Disney, Star Wars, Freddy Funko, Marvel, and Back to the Future.
What was your first Funko item?
My very first Funko Pop! was back in 2014 at San Diego Comic Con at the Funko Booth, and it was the Luke Skywalker & Wampa 2-pack exclusive. Such a cool piece in the Star Wars collection.
What is your favorite Funko piece in your collection?
My Back to the Future collection. I grew up watching this movie franchise and I was thrilled to add these beautiful pieces in my collection.
Tell us your favorite Funko story!
I have been going to San Diego Comic Con since 2007. I never knew what Funko was all about until my cousin went to their booth in 2014 and showed me what he bought. I looked at all the stuff he had bought and saw this interesting piece that had a cool look and bobble-head style. It was the Luke Skywalker & Wampa Pop! 2-pack exclusive. I asked him where he found it, and he mentioned that it was being sold over at the Funko booth. I went the next day to see what kind of stuff I could get from Funko. When I got there, I was so nervous that they were going to sell out, but I was able to get the piece I wanted and a few others too. From that day forward, I was hooked on Pop!s.
The best part about collecting Pop!s is getting a piece that makes you happy. I'm a huge Back to the Future collector and after I finished getting every Pop! for that line, I wanted to get the protos too. I had gotten almost every proto but was missing a great one- the Marty McFly Hoverboard Pop! proto. I posted many times online on different groups and on the board to see if I could get this piece. Then one day, one of my friends mentioned a person that has it, a previous Funatic of the Week. I messaged him about the proto, explaining that I'm a big Back to the Future collector and would love to do business with him. We talked multiple times and finally, he made me super happy by agreeing to make a deal with me. We met up during the week of San Diego Comic Con 2016 and did a wonderful trade. We were both happy with the exchange and keep in touch to this day. I was beyond speechless to finally get this piece and it was my happiest moment of SDCC this year.
I have gotten to meet a lot of Funko Funatics all around the world. It's such an honor to meet and talk to incredible collectors along the way. I love the fact that I can share stories with my friends on what we've added to our collection and what's coming out soon.
Social media links:
Want to be our next Funatic of the Week?
